I've seen several references in this forum to volume limiters enabled on JKs without a hard top installed. I'm familiar with the threads of even 'jumping' the hard top harness to trick the system into thinking a hard top is present. For those of us especially with soft tops-only (and no hard top harness), has anyone truly identified how/where the sound bar and rear sub speakers are getting 'dummied-down'? The dash speakers appear much louder (than the same speakers in the sound bar).

I really want to retain my 730n + connectivity package - so I'd like to figure out how to unleash more sound without having to roto-rooter my entire system. I just ordered 4 new 6.5" speakers (for dash and sound bar) - thanks to the suggestions by several of you. I see that there's also a Plug-n-play kicker upgrade/replacement amp.... Would that bypass the limiter?

I assume that my upgrade to the (very mediocre 'premium sound system') speakers would still be affected by whatever is ultimately limiting the volume. Is the restriction the head unit, amp, wiring...?

For your reference I have a '14 sahara soft top (only) with the 'premium' alpine system + 730n and factory (useless) sub. The thump of the sub is so nonexistent that I had to turn up the volume and then open up my back tail gate and put my ear up to it to see if it was even working.

I see where several other soft-top-only owners have posed similar questions - but I have yet to see a resolution other than suggestions to replace everything. Thanks in advance.

When you have the factory hard top, there is a harness that is included (power to the interior lights, rear defost, rear wiper, ect) in the rear of the Jeep....it plugs into the hard top and would assume, completes a circuit. That is how "jumping the harness" works.

I have a 13 jkur and mine sounds the same top on or off. I don't believe there is a wiring thing that turns down the power. With the soft top on of course you have to turn up the volume due to road noise and I imagine the hard top also keeps in the sound of the stereo better.

I have a 13 jkur and mine sounds the same top on or off. I don't believe there is a wiring thing that turns down the power. With the soft top on of course you have to turn up the volume due to road noise and I imagine the hard top also keeps in the sound of the stereo better.

There is....

Have you tried a jumper? It take 10 seconds to try.

What we don't know is why it works for some but not for others.

I used to have mine jumped, but I pulled my jumper...mostly because I'm worried that I'll somehow hit my rear windshield wiper fluid switch and soak the back of my Jeep.

When you have the factory hard top, there is a harness that is included (power to the interior lights, rear defost, rear wiper, ect) in the rear of the Jeep....it plugs into the hard top and would assume, completes a circuit. That is how "jumping the harness" works.

my interior lights are on the roll bars. the plug you are refering too just controls the rear defroster and wiper

am i missing something here>>>???? what lights on the hardtop>? i have no lights....in no way shape or form are my speakers wired or plugged to the hard top. the rear plug is just for the wiper...defroster and sprayer........

Lawyers.....and it is probably the same reason as to why the soundbar speakers seem muted compared to the front speakers. Jeep does not want to get sued for hearing damage or noise pollution or some crud like that.